Xylophanes porcus, Paraguay, courtesy of Ulf Drechsel.

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke at oehlkew@islandtelecom.com
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY: Family: Sphingidae, Latreille, 1802 Subfamily: Macroglossinae, Harris, 1839 Tribe: Macroglossini, Harris, 1839 Genus: Xylophanes Hubner [1819] ........... Species: porcus Hubner, [1823]

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DISTRIBUTION:

The Porcus Sphinx Moth, Xylophanes porcus [wing span: 2 7/8 - 3 3/8 inches (7.3 - 7.9 cm)] flies in
southern Brazil;
Paraguay: Presidente Hayes, Concepcion, Canindeyu, San Pedro, Alto Parana, Cordillero, Paraguari, Guaira, Caazapa, (probably Caaguazu and Itapua (WO??));
Argentina: Misiones: Loreto (95m);
north to Cuba and south Florida.

Florida is the specimen type locality.

Xylophanes porcus male, Costa Rica, courtesy of Dan Janzen.

The upperside of the forewing is olive-brown with lighter brown along the outer margin. The upperside of the hindwing is brown with some paler spots.

FLIGHT TIMES:

Xylophanes porcus has been recorded on the wing in every month except March in Costa Rica. There are several broods from April-August. This species has been taken in Argentina in January

ECLOSION:

Xylophanes porcus female courtesy of Dan Janzen.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call in the males with a pheromone released from a gland at the tip of the abdomen. Adults probably nectar at flowers.

EGGS, LARVAE, PUPAE:

Larvae feed at dusk and at night on Hamelia patens, Psychotria chiapensis, Psychotria horizontalis, Psychotria microdon, Psychotria pubescens, P. hebeclada and Palicourea grandifolia in the madder family (Rubiaceae). During the day, larvae hide near the base of their hosts or in surrounding vegetation.

Moths emerge from pupae in 14-25 days. Larva and pupa images courtesy of Dan Janzen.

Larvae are subject to parasitization by Drino sp. 6 of the Tachinidae family.

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